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Long Delayed Ame Report
Aug. 16th, 2007 06:29 pmHave been so very sleepy since coming back. I meant to post sooner, but putting photos up seemed more important.
Thursday
Began the adventure on Thursday as we were taking Ilpala up with us. It was a good idea, because it meant we were able to get up and go straight to the con after breakfast, rather than getting there after a three hour drive. Joe left in the morning to pick up our new car (yes, we did cut it a little close :). It's a shiney silver Rover, with air-con, sunroof, electric windows and a remote for locking it. Plus power steering.
Hit the road around late morning, picked up Ilpala and stopped to have all you can eat pizza goodness before going on a hunt for the M5. Nearly made it to the M42, when there was an almighty bang. Couldn't see anytihng, so carried on, when we hear a thud thud thud sound. Pulled over and discovered Mr Tire is not the happy bunny he once was. The AA call control couldn't find us, so Joe set off to find the nearest SOS phone, but fortunately we were rescued by the highway patrol, who were lovely and explained to the AA how not to be tarded and got them on the way. The actual AA patrol man was effcient and got us back on our way, but not before James had an encounter with a mountaineering shield bug.
Friday
Turned up early on Friday, changed into Cha-cha cosplay and regestered. My badge name was spelt wrong, but seeing my name wrong is something I've got used to. Then wandered about gradually meeting up with people and taking lots of pictures. There wasn't much going on con wise, but it was really nice to just relax in the sun and chat with people.
In the evening changed again to Matoko and spent a while chatting with Lex as she finished off her awsome Seth costume. I'd seen her walking around with the hat earlier but had assumed it was a shield of some sort. Went out and watched some AMVs and partied a bit, but went to bed realtively early. Being so depressed has really sapped my eneergy as well as my motivation.
Saturday
Saturday, we headed out and helped set up the anime shooting alley. Joe correctly decided that Sephiroth should not be able to be taken out by a foam weapon, so we gaffered him onto the table. Not everyone realised this at first :) Tifa had a negative score, and we gave Dark a question mark, the idea being that if anyone knocked him down, I'd slap them. Unfortunately, the only one to hit Dark was me. I lose at life :(
All the costumes in the competition were fantastic. The Trinity Blood group deserver to win, but there were plenty of other really well done cosplays, including the Nanaki, and the wedding Yuna and Seymore. (Joe still hasn't forgiven himself for sending the poor girl down the catwork to Sephiroth's theme at expo!).
Afternoon was the masquarde briefing, and we bumped into Little Mo and Tilly, and discussed skimpy cosplays. I'm sure more things happened on staruday, but I don't remember them particularly. Got changed and ate food before going down to queue for the masqerade. It was quite a long wait, but at least I could sit down in this costume. (I was in agony waiting to go on as Fran). Helped people sort out their wigs, and Sakara Kokoro molted an impressive blonde hairball on the floor.
I don't remember much of the masquerade in all honesty. It seemed over far to quickly, especially after all that wait. I guess it was probably just different from occupying the stage for several minutes at Minami, then photos afterwards. I don't have any pictures of Kyoko and Boma, so I have no idea how well they came out, though I know at least one person recognised Boma.
Sunday
Sunday morning we listened to Akemi-san talking about wearing kimonos and tea ceremonies amongst other things. She's a really interesting person to talk to, adn while I had heard a lot about the attitudes of Japanese to women (I remember the comment about baby machines from earlier in the year) it was still quite shocking.
Left and went to listen to Gothica in the main hall. They were absolutely adorable and so very tiny :). Yoshiku gave us a japanese lesson, where we learned how to say "sex", "where is the love hotel?" and "boobies." Actually, he gave us "mune" as a translation for boobies and Joe piped up "Isn't it opai?" "Yes," came the reply, "but I not say that, because I am shy." So lovely! Their music was a bit different from what I was expecting. The vocals were quite similar to other J-rock / visual kei stuff I've heard, but the backing was closer to techno / dance. It was the atmosphere that was really good. I love live music. I really enjoy the feeling of lots of people all moving to the same rhythm.
Chatted to a few more people in the afternoon adn then it was time to get ready for the ball. Alice and Machs came out pretty well, though I do need a petticoat, I've decided. The ball was wonderful and Ilpala should feel really proud. There was free ame and chocolates, butlers with silver trays of nibbles, baloons and decorations and low lighting. Chococat sang live, which really added to the atomosphere. It was really nice to see everyone had made an effort, whether they were cosplaying or not, the whole thing just looked fantastic. I tried slow dancing, and sucked at it horribly. I only got really down a couple of times at the con, and fortunately not for too long, but I will admit to crying my heart out at the FFX theme.
On monday, we waited while things wer cleared up, and the committee had their meeting, then went out with them and Monica for a meal in Leicester. As no one except Will knew the way, we went in a convoy with the radios for communication, whch was very special. Finally got home about 1.30, then had to be up for work at 6.
All in all, the con was great, and I can't wait for the next one. I feel like I've had a really long holiday, but at the same time, everything was over far too quick. It was really good to see everyone in person, and meet a few new people as well.
Thursday
Began the adventure on Thursday as we were taking Ilpala up with us. It was a good idea, because it meant we were able to get up and go straight to the con after breakfast, rather than getting there after a three hour drive. Joe left in the morning to pick up our new car (yes, we did cut it a little close :). It's a shiney silver Rover, with air-con, sunroof, electric windows and a remote for locking it. Plus power steering.
Hit the road around late morning, picked up Ilpala and stopped to have all you can eat pizza goodness before going on a hunt for the M5. Nearly made it to the M42, when there was an almighty bang. Couldn't see anytihng, so carried on, when we hear a thud thud thud sound. Pulled over and discovered Mr Tire is not the happy bunny he once was. The AA call control couldn't find us, so Joe set off to find the nearest SOS phone, but fortunately we were rescued by the highway patrol, who were lovely and explained to the AA how not to be tarded and got them on the way. The actual AA patrol man was effcient and got us back on our way, but not before James had an encounter with a mountaineering shield bug.
Friday
Turned up early on Friday, changed into Cha-cha cosplay and regestered. My badge name was spelt wrong, but seeing my name wrong is something I've got used to. Then wandered about gradually meeting up with people and taking lots of pictures. There wasn't much going on con wise, but it was really nice to just relax in the sun and chat with people.
In the evening changed again to Matoko and spent a while chatting with Lex as she finished off her awsome Seth costume. I'd seen her walking around with the hat earlier but had assumed it was a shield of some sort. Went out and watched some AMVs and partied a bit, but went to bed realtively early. Being so depressed has really sapped my eneergy as well as my motivation.
Saturday
Saturday, we headed out and helped set up the anime shooting alley. Joe correctly decided that Sephiroth should not be able to be taken out by a foam weapon, so we gaffered him onto the table. Not everyone realised this at first :) Tifa had a negative score, and we gave Dark a question mark, the idea being that if anyone knocked him down, I'd slap them. Unfortunately, the only one to hit Dark was me. I lose at life :(
All the costumes in the competition were fantastic. The Trinity Blood group deserver to win, but there were plenty of other really well done cosplays, including the Nanaki, and the wedding Yuna and Seymore. (Joe still hasn't forgiven himself for sending the poor girl down the catwork to Sephiroth's theme at expo!).
Afternoon was the masquarde briefing, and we bumped into Little Mo and Tilly, and discussed skimpy cosplays. I'm sure more things happened on staruday, but I don't remember them particularly. Got changed and ate food before going down to queue for the masqerade. It was quite a long wait, but at least I could sit down in this costume. (I was in agony waiting to go on as Fran). Helped people sort out their wigs, and Sakara Kokoro molted an impressive blonde hairball on the floor.
I don't remember much of the masquerade in all honesty. It seemed over far to quickly, especially after all that wait. I guess it was probably just different from occupying the stage for several minutes at Minami, then photos afterwards. I don't have any pictures of Kyoko and Boma, so I have no idea how well they came out, though I know at least one person recognised Boma.
Sunday
Sunday morning we listened to Akemi-san talking about wearing kimonos and tea ceremonies amongst other things. She's a really interesting person to talk to, adn while I had heard a lot about the attitudes of Japanese to women (I remember the comment about baby machines from earlier in the year) it was still quite shocking.
Left and went to listen to Gothica in the main hall. They were absolutely adorable and so very tiny :). Yoshiku gave us a japanese lesson, where we learned how to say "sex", "where is the love hotel?" and "boobies." Actually, he gave us "mune" as a translation for boobies and Joe piped up "Isn't it opai?" "Yes," came the reply, "but I not say that, because I am shy." So lovely! Their music was a bit different from what I was expecting. The vocals were quite similar to other J-rock / visual kei stuff I've heard, but the backing was closer to techno / dance. It was the atmosphere that was really good. I love live music. I really enjoy the feeling of lots of people all moving to the same rhythm.
Chatted to a few more people in the afternoon adn then it was time to get ready for the ball. Alice and Machs came out pretty well, though I do need a petticoat, I've decided. The ball was wonderful and Ilpala should feel really proud. There was free ame and chocolates, butlers with silver trays of nibbles, baloons and decorations and low lighting. Chococat sang live, which really added to the atomosphere. It was really nice to see everyone had made an effort, whether they were cosplaying or not, the whole thing just looked fantastic. I tried slow dancing, and sucked at it horribly. I only got really down a couple of times at the con, and fortunately not for too long, but I will admit to crying my heart out at the FFX theme.
On monday, we waited while things wer cleared up, and the committee had their meeting, then went out with them and Monica for a meal in Leicester. As no one except Will knew the way, we went in a convoy with the radios for communication, whch was very special. Finally got home about 1.30, then had to be up for work at 6.
All in all, the con was great, and I can't wait for the next one. I feel like I've had a really long holiday, but at the same time, everything was over far too quick. It was really good to see everyone in person, and meet a few new people as well.
